The European Commission has opened a public consultation on EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, the strategy to be implemented by 2030 to safeguard biodiversity. Each of us - individually or in representation of associations, research institutes, other public and private bodies, companies and cooperatives - can express their comments, by 20.1.20, by following the link https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/initiatives/ares-2019-7908307_it .
Biodiversity, a heritage to be saved
Biodiversity - understood as the variety of life on Earth - is a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable well-being and human prosperity. The European Union is therefore preparing to define the specific objectives to be pursued by 2030 in order to safeguard it. To be shared in the broader forum of the XNUMXth UN Conference on Biodiversity, next October in China (in Kunming).
Climate changes, pollution and spread of invasive alien species - together with the over-exploitation of soils and water basins - are indicated as the main causes of biodiversity loss. Disregarding the deadly role of pesticides and of 'cultural plutocracy'. That is to say, the concentration of global agricultural production on a very limited number of plants and animals, to the detriment of the extraordinary richness of native species and varieties.
Protection of the environment, roles and responsibilities of Europe
The roles and responsibilities of Europe in environmental protection are rooted in the Treaty for the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Where there are:
- the shared competence of the EU with the Member States in environmental matters (Article 4.2.e),
- the needs of protecting the environment, in particular in the context of promoting sustainable development, among the policies of the Union (Article 11),
- EU action on the environment (Article 191).
The European Union, on this basis, participates as an effective member in the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity.
Biodiversity in the EU, rules and perspectives
Natura 2000 it is in fact the main tool so far adopted in the EU to maintain biodiversity. An ecological network established under the so-called habitat directive and spread over the territories of all member countries. (1) With the aim of ensuring the long-term preservation of natural habitats as well as rare or endangered species of flora and fauna.
To the network Natura 2000 - which made it possible to create the Special Protection Areas (SPA), in line with the provisions of the so-called birds directive (2) - other regulatory instruments already adopted in the EU are added. Such as the framework directive on the strategy for the marine environment and the regulation on invasive alien species. (3)
Lo European Green Deal, announced by the European Commission under the leadership of Ursula von der Leyen, should also contribute to the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity. Provided that effective restrictions on the use of agrotoxics are introduced and that organic productions are encouraged, even on a small and micro-scale (eg. peasant agriculture).
I new GMOs - from the misleading NBT acronyms (New Breeding Techniques) and GE (Gene Editing) - instead constitute a serious threat to biodiversity, like traditional GMOs. And that is why Europe must be prevented from simplifying the procedure for their authorization. Without renouncing the necessary scientific risk assessment, which must imperatively precede any authorization to release genetically modified organisms into the environment.
EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, the stated objectives
La EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy is based on three key words. Protect, restore and integrate:
▪ protect nature, increase the coverage and effectiveness of protected areas according to the Natura 2000 network,
▪ restore damaged ecosystems, including those that are richer in carbon and those that maintain an appreciable ecological status,
▪ integrate fully address biodiversity considerations in other European policies and address the EU's impact on global biodiversity.
Other goals included in the initiative concern the promotion of the sustainable use of forest, agricultural, marine and freshwater and urban ecosystems. To the guarantee of adequate financial resources, in order to increase knowledge thanks also to the contributions of citizens and the social partners concerned.
Consultation in progress
The European Commission invited the social partners concerned to make contributions to the work of the Coordination group for Biodiversity and Nature. With regard to the objectives and measures under development, which will be presented in 2021. The more the contributions are accompanied by precise references to published data and studies, the more it will be necessary for them to be considered by the European institutions involved.
Dario Dongo and Martina Novelli
Footnotes
(1) See https://www.minambiente.it/pagina/direttiva-habitat
(3) Cf. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32008L0056, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1417443504720&uri=CELEX:32014R1143
Graduated in International Relations at the Sapienza University of Rome, she followed the Master in Law & Foody Safety of the University of Bologna.
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
